Travistan
Encyclopedia
Travistan is Travis Morrison
's solo debut album
, released in 2004 (see 2004 in music
) by Barsuk Records
. The record is named after the van that Morrison rode in during his former band The Dismemberment Plan
's last tour .
Unlike the last two Dismemberment Plan albums, Travistans lyrics rely mainly on wit rather than introspection. The album's musical themes tend to meld familiar indie rock
textures and more unusual Frank Zappa
esque ideas. It largely steers clear of the funk, soul and hip-hop influences of his previous work with The Dismemberment Plan .
, indicating "Mixed or average reviews."
The album is often noted in discussions of Pitchfork Media
, as it marked one of the first moments when, after establishing itself as a critical powerhouse, the e-zine turned on an artist to whom it had previously given enthusiastic support. Pitchfork's vehement dislike for Travistan is often cited as the lone factor that created a cool commercial reception for the album, marking a turning point in Pitchfork's influence. The album was one of the rare albums to get a 0.0 rating, with reviewer Chris Dahlen describing the album as "one of the most colossal trainwrecks in indie rock history."
Responding to Pitchfork Media's review, Morrison said:
In addition to Pitchfork Media, other reviewers gave Travistan negative reviews. Some reviewers compared the album negatively to work of Morrison's previous band The Dismemberment Plan
. Zeth Lundy of Popmatters
wrote "This is quite literally as disappointing as records get, made all the more so by Morrison’s solid resume with the Dismemberment Plan." Lundy singled out the tracks "Get Me off This Coin," “My Two Front Teeth, Parts 2 and 3" and "Song for the Orca" for criticism. Tiny Mix Tapes
wrote "Consequently, the elements that made Dismemberment Plan so engaging are glaringly absent..."Travis Morrison - Travistan. Tiny Mix Tapes
. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
Not all reviews were negative, though. Noel Murray of The A.V. Club
wrote "Travistan is odd but oddly listenable, with a bright mood sparked by Morrison's spirit of discovery. It's one extended, refreshing 'Why not?'" Stylus Magazine
's Anthony Miccio, in response to the album's criticism, wrote "After hearing the crap people have said about this album I’m bummed that people are so quick to reject what doesn’t fit their immediate logic. It’s ironic that folks would get off on shredding an album that’s about trying to be kind and honest at the same time."
Travis Morrison
Travis Morrison is an American musician and web developer from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., United States...
's solo debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, released in 2004 (see 2004 in music
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
) by Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
. The record is named after the van that Morrison rode in during his former band The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan is a Washington D.C. based indie rock band formed on January 1, 1993. Also known as D-Plan or The Plan, the name comes from a stray phrase uttered by insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the popular comedy Groundhog Day. The band members included Eric Axelson , Jason Caddell ,...
's last tour .
Unlike the last two Dismemberment Plan albums, Travistans lyrics rely mainly on wit rather than introspection. The album's musical themes tend to meld familiar indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
textures and more unusual Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
esque ideas. It largely steers clear of the funk, soul and hip-hop influences of his previous work with The Dismemberment Plan .
Track listing
Personnel
The following people contributed to Travistan:- Travis MorrisonTravis MorrisonTravis Morrison is an American musician and web developer from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., United States...
- Bass, Drum Machine, Guitar, Melodica, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Sampling, Synthesizer, Xylophone - Phil Brazena - Violin
- Dan Doggett - Double Bass
- Mike Dugan - Bass, Drum Machine, Guitar, Melodica, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Sampling, Synthesizer, Xylophone
- Amanda Fazzone - Choir, Chorus
- Megan Katcher - Viola
- Josh LeBar - Double Bass
- Corinne Lynch - Viola
- Jason McGerr - Drums
- Kendall Nordin - Choir, Chorus
- Tiffany Shanta - Violin
- Travistani National String Orchestra - Strings
- Travistani Women's Chorus - Choir, Chorus
- Sean Urban - Violin
- John Vanderslice - Vocals (Background)
- Christopher Walla - Audio Production, Bass, Drum Machine, Guitar, Melodica, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Producer, Sampling, Synthesizer, Xylophone
- Don Zientara - Audio Production, Producer
Reception
Travistan has received mostly mixed reviews. It currently has a 56 out of 100 on the review aggregate site MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, indicating "Mixed or average reviews."
The album is often noted in discussions of Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, as it marked one of the first moments when, after establishing itself as a critical powerhouse, the e-zine turned on an artist to whom it had previously given enthusiastic support. Pitchfork's vehement dislike for Travistan is often cited as the lone factor that created a cool commercial reception for the album, marking a turning point in Pitchfork's influence. The album was one of the rare albums to get a 0.0 rating, with reviewer Chris Dahlen describing the album as "one of the most colossal trainwrecks in indie rock history."
Responding to Pitchfork Media's review, Morrison said:
In addition to Pitchfork Media, other reviewers gave Travistan negative reviews. Some reviewers compared the album negatively to work of Morrison's previous band The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan is a Washington D.C. based indie rock band formed on January 1, 1993. Also known as D-Plan or The Plan, the name comes from a stray phrase uttered by insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the popular comedy Groundhog Day. The band members included Eric Axelson , Jason Caddell ,...
. Zeth Lundy of Popmatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
wrote "This is quite literally as disappointing as records get, made all the more so by Morrison’s solid resume with the Dismemberment Plan." Lundy singled out the tracks "Get Me off This Coin," “My Two Front Teeth, Parts 2 and 3" and "Song for the Orca" for criticism. Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes is an online music and film webzine that focuses primarily on new music and related news. In addition to its reviews, it is noted for its subversive, political, and sometimes surreal news, as well as its mix tapes generator.-History:Originally called Tiny Mixtapes Gone to Heaven and...
wrote "Consequently, the elements that made Dismemberment Plan so engaging are glaringly absent..."Travis Morrison - Travistan. Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes is an online music and film webzine that focuses primarily on new music and related news. In addition to its reviews, it is noted for its subversive, political, and sometimes surreal news, as well as its mix tapes generator.-History:Originally called Tiny Mixtapes Gone to Heaven and...
. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
Not all reviews were negative, though. Noel Murray of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
wrote "Travistan is odd but oddly listenable, with a bright mood sparked by Morrison's spirit of discovery. It's one extended, refreshing 'Why not?'" Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine was an online music and film magazine launched in 2002. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, a number of different podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog....
's Anthony Miccio, in response to the album's criticism, wrote "After hearing the crap people have said about this album I’m bummed that people are so quick to reject what doesn’t fit their immediate logic. It’s ironic that folks would get off on shredding an album that’s about trying to be kind and honest at the same time."